The US House Foreign Affairs Committee says that the US overestimate its bargaining position during nuclear talks with Iran and that may lead to an agreement that fails to adequately check Iran's nuclear ambitions.WASHINGTON, November 19 (Sputnik) TheUnited Statesis maximizing its bargaining position duringnegotiations, aimed atcurbing Iran's nuclear program, a scholar onIran said the US House Foreign Affairs Committee.
"I fear sincethe beginning we [the United States] have not fully understood what was driving Iran tothe table and have underestimated our leverage once they got there. It's a recipe fora very frustrating diplomacy," American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and former Defense Department analyst J. Matthew McInnis said Tuesday.
US desire toarrive ata diplomatic solution may lead toan agreement that fails toadequately check Iran's nuclear ambitions, despitethe fact sanctions have severely impaired the Iranian economy, McInnis added.
"The short and long-term economic challenges are just too great forthem [the Iranians]. They need this deal now and, frankly, they need it more thanwe [the Americans] do. And we don't take advantage ofthat," McInnis asserted.
McInnis also noted that there has been no sign ofreal change inIran's nuclear policy and that Tehran is still demanding a robust uranium enrichment program that goes far beyondwhat is needed forcivilian applications.
On Tuesday, theP5+1 groupcommenced the final roundof talks toreach a comprehensivenuclear dealthat would prevent Iran fromdeveloping nuclear weapons inexchange forthe relaxing ofeconomic sanctions.
Last November, Iran and the P5+1 group, comprised ofRussia, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China, Germany, reached a temporary agreement toguarantee the peaceful intentions ofIran's nuclear program bya July 2014 deadline, which was later extended toNovember 24.
By Sputnik News
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